POPP Festival 2026 – The Power of Public Procurement

On Thursday, 3 December 2026, The Hague University of Applied Sciences will host POPP Festival 2026 – The Power of Public Procurement. A festival filled with knowledge, inspiration, networking and music. Five universities of applied sciences will join forces to explore how public procurement can drive positive societal change. During the event, Dr. Ir. Mirjam Kibbeling, Professor of Applied Sciences in Public Procurement at Centre of Expertise Mission Zero, will deliver her inaugural lecture, The Power of Public Procurement.

Public procurement is about more than purchasing goods and services. It is a powerful instrument for promoting sustainability, innovation and societal value. At POPP Festival, researchers, professionals and students will discover how to harness this potential more effectively.

Register now!

About POPP Festival 2026

Public procurement has the power to drive societal change. Through responsible purchasing decisions, public organisations can contribute to a more sustainable, innovative and equitable society. But how can we make the most of these opportunities?

At POPP Festival 2026, five universities of applied sciences will combine their knowledge and expertise: The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.

Together, they will bring researchers, students and professionals together to share new insights and strengthen the connection between research and practice.

With interactive workshops, inspiring discussions and an inaugural lecture, the festival offers plenty of opportunities to gain knowledge, exchange experiences and explore new collaborations.

What can you expect?

POPP Festival 2026

During the opening programme, you will discover how public procurement can help address current societal challenges. Two rounds of workshops will explore topics such as sustainability, European developments, strategic autonomy, artificial intelligence and innovative forms of collaboration. Between the workshops, participants can enjoy lunch together and connect with fellow attendees.

Inaugural lecture by Mirjam Kibbeling

Following the opening programme, Dr. Ir. Mirjam Kibbeling will deliver her inaugural lecture, The Power of Public Procurement, presenting the vision, ambitions and research priorities of the Public Procurement research group. She will demonstrate how public organisations can use their purchasing power to create societal impact and how research, education and professional practice can reinforce one another.

Workshops

During the opening programme, you can choose from the following workshops. Participants can select one workshop per round.

Workshop Round 1

How Is Europe Changing Public Procurement Practice?
Mendeltje van Keulen and Mariska Verseveld
European developments are increasingly influencing public procurement. During this workshop, you will discover how European policies and regulations are changing procurement practices and what these developments mean for public organisations and procurement professionals.

Don't Buy It! Rethinking Procurement
Karin van IJsselmuide, Maaike Snijder and Jolien Grandia
Is purchasing something new always the best solution? During this workshop, you will explore alternatives to traditional procurement and discover how organisations can take a more conscious approach to their needs, resources and societal responsibilities.

Ownership, Procurement and Strategic Autonomy: Discovery Session
Martijn van der Linden and Nina de Korte
How are ownership, public procurement and strategic autonomy connected? During this exploratory session, you will examine how public procurement can strengthen organisational independence and resilience. Language: Dutch.

The Missing Link: How Procurement Professionals Drive Sustainability
Wendy Broers
Sustainability ambitions are widespread, but how can they be translated into tangible results? During this workshop, you will discover how procurement professionals can contribute to achieving sustainability goals and bridging the gap between strategic ambitions and everyday practice.

The Art of Procurement: “Don't Think About Making Art, Just Get It Done” – Andy Warhol
Jordie Schoonen and Maurice van Rooijen
What can procurement professionals learn from art and creativity? During this workshop, you will explore how creative thinking, experimentation and a hands-on approach can offer fresh perspectives on public procurement. Language: Dutch.

Workshop Round 2

The Power of Living Labs
Anja Overdiek and Heleen Geerts
How can Living Labs contribute to innovation and societal change? During this workshop, you will discover how researchers, public organisations and other stakeholders can work together to develop, test and improve innovative solutions. Language: Dutch.

Public Values and Supplier Relationship Management: How Is Your Organisation Performing?
Alex de Vries and Jolien Grandia
How can public values be embedded in supplier relationships? During this workshop, you will explore how Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) can contribute to achieving societal objectives and assess how your own organisation is performing.

How Do We Prepare Young Professionals for an AI-Driven Procurement Future?
Klaas Stek and Vincent Delke
Artificial intelligence is transforming procurement practices. What knowledge and skills will future procurement professionals need? During this workshop, you will discover how education and professional practice can prepare young professionals for a future in which AI plays an increasingly important role.

Inspired by Nature: Lessons for Business
Linda Drupsteen and Luciana dos Santos
What can organisations learn from nature? During this workshop, you will explore how natural systems and principles can inspire innovative business models, sustainable solutions and new ways of collaborating. Language: English.

Master's in Public Procurement: Captain's Log 2050
Cor Lammerts and Saïd el Hami
What will public procurement look like in 2050? During this workshop, you will look ahead to the future of the profession and explore the developments, knowledge and skills needed to prepare the next generation of procurement professionals.

Practical Information

Date: Thursday, 3 December 2026
Time: 10:00 – 17:30
Location: The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Hague
Opening Programme: 10:30 – 14:30
Main Act: 14:30 – 16:30
Afterparty: 16:30 – 17:30

Participation: You can attend the entire festival or register for individual programme sessions.

Registration

Will you join us on 3 December? Register using the registration form. You can attend the entire festival or join the programme sessions that interest you most. During registration, you can select which workshops you would like to attend. We look forward to discovering the Power of Public Procurement together!